Here at Amazing Journeys, we’re lucky have the best jobs in the world—and we think our good fortune is worth sharing. So, when your next journey seems like a distant dream, take a few minutes to explore our WANDERLUST blog—it’s chock full of engaging tales and helpful tips from our travels around the world. Check out the most recent entry (at the top) or search by your preferred criteria. Consider it motivation for your next embarkation.

If you keep up-to-date on news in the cruise industry, you may have heard about the much anticipated build of the Celebrity Edge, the first new ship from Celebrity Cruises in six years. And today is a very exciting day for Edge as she had her official ‘float out’ yesterday. And we at Amazing Journeys are particularly thrilled about this, as we will be offering a vacation on the Edge in 2019 on one of her first Mediterranean sailings!

The initial stages of a cruise ship’s construction take place in a dry dock facility. Once exterior outfitting is complete, the dry dock is flooded and the ship is floated to a wet dock where construction continues. The transition is considered a major milestone in the multi-year process of building a cruise ship. The 2,900-passenger Celebrity Edge was floated out from the dry dock yesterday in France where it has been under construction for nearly a year. Scheduled to debut in November of this year, the ship now will undergo finishing work in a wet dock.

Edge is the first of four new Celebrity vessels due by 2022 that will boast an innovative new design. Among Edge’s most notable features: A 90-ton platform the size of a tennis court that will be cantilevered over its side. Called the Magic Carpet, it will move up and down the side of the ship serving functions that range from a tender boarding platform to 90-seat alternative restaurant.

Among other unusual features, Edge will have a jogging track that spans two decks and winds around the ship’s terraced pool area. A relaxation area to the aft of the pool deck called the Rooftop Garden also is on its plans as are six poolside cabanas with 20-foot ceilings for rent. Hot tubs will be perched on stems in what Celebrity says is a “martini glass” design.

Edge also will feature what Celebrity is calling Infinite Veranda cabins designed to blend the indoor and outdoor experience. Billed as an industry first, Infinite Veranda cabins will have balconies that are incorporated into the main cabin area. Bi-fold doors in the rooms either can be completely closed, creating a traditional room area separated from a balcony area, or left open, creating a wide-open indoor space that is about 23% larger than traditional balcony cabins.

If the Mediterranean is on your bucket list, let us know to put you on the Interest List for this amazing cruise and you will hear about it when we have details to share! Until then, stay tuned!

With Hanukkah right around the corner, we’re all racking our brains, trying to find that perfect gift for friends, family, or what to tell others we want… Amazing Journeys to the rescue! Here is our 8 Nights of Hanukkah Travel Gift Idea list! Buy for others or share the list to hint at what you want!

Flight Bag

Hang this handy organizer on the airline seat in front of you for convenient access to your phone, tablet, charger, headphones, and reading material. Just stash it back in your carry-on when you leave – no items left in the seat pocket. Available here.

Cross-body Travel Bag

Travel safe with your everyday essentials organized. This handbag is designed for security with RFID protection, slash resistant body and shoulder straps. Available here.

Travel Jacket

An all-weather, sleek water-repellent windbreaker jacket with 15 features like built-in sleep mask, passport pocket, stylus and more. Available here.

Portable CPAP Machine

If you don’t travel because you need your CPAP machine, now you don’t have any excuses. Sleep well even on the road. Available here.

Travel Pillow

So small that it’s essentially a padded scarf, this travel pillow made with hypoallergenic fleece holds your head almost completely upright. You can even place it beneath your chin to keep your head from drooping. Available here.

Portable Charger

There are few things that can make a person more anxious than being on the go when their phone’s about to die. Thiskeychain comes with a built-in USB to charge your phone. Available here.

Airport Toy

Lightweight and easy to learn, the Chinese equivalent of Hacky Sack is the travel game that’ll keep you occupied no matter how long your flight’s delayed. We dare you to be THAT person at the gate! Available here.

Amazing Journeys Gift Certificates

Not sure where you want to go next but itching to travel? Gift certificates help to get you on your next life changing vacation. Available here.

Looking for more ideas? Check out our suggestions from 2014, 2015 or 2016!

Enjoy your holiday shopping, happy Hanukkah and hope to travel with you soon!

If travel is an art, then my mom was an artist. And a storyteller. My Mom was always up for an adventure and never missed an opportunity to travel, be it near or far. I guess that’s where I get it from.

One of her best travel stories came from the time my Mom took a trip to Europe with a girlfriend when I was in high school. Her friend had business there and she and my Mom had several trips planned over the next few years. They were like the “Lucy and Ethel” of travel, or was it “Thelma and Louise”? Lots of amazing stories came out of those trips. My favorite comes from a trip through Central Europe. After the business portion of the trip was behind them, my Mom’s friend, Cherina, had wanted to visit the graves of her parents in the former Czechoslovakia. They had done their research and found that no visas were needed (there was no internet back then, but she made the proper calls). As the rules were changing often in the 70’s for the countries of Central Europe, by the time the train got to the border of Czechoslovakia, a border guard with a dog came onboard the train and asked to see their passports and visas. Cherina explained to them in her best Czech that she had understood no visas were needed. In two minutes they were off the train and in a local jail at the border, being told they needed to spend the night and that a train would be coming in the other direction tomorrow and they could board then after spending the night in the jail.

With no options in sight, the two quickly went into action. They took out the little blanket they had stored away in their overnight bag (did I mention it was from KLM, lifted from their flight over to Europe?) and laid it out while taking a huge lunch spread out of their bag (did I also mention that they would embarrassingly pack an entire lunch from the breakfast buffet at the hotel each morning?) and began their “picnic” in the jail cell.

A local man came by to say hello to the local jailer, just as the picnic was getting underway. My Mom, always the social hostess, offered some delicacies and fun conversation, and before they knew it, the local man had invited my Mom and her friend to his local farmhouse just down the road, to spend the evening with he and his wife for dinner and a good night sleep before the train came back to pick them up the next day. The jailer agreed and the jailbirds were free! Just like that! And just as my Mom had taken the blanket from the airplane and lunch from the breakfast buffet, she had no qualms about taking the key to the jail as a souvenir on her way out.

The key hung proudly in our home as a remarkable testament to how two women traveling through Central Europe on their own in the early 70s could both find their way into and out of trouble, and how travel was always an adventure, whether planned for or not.

That story helped set the stage for me and my travel career, and taught me many lessons including thinking on your feet, always be friendly, check and double check visa requirements, and unlike my Mom, never take lunch from a hotel’s breakfast buffet (you’ve only paid for one meal) or blankets from the airline (I was always embarrassed by both).

My Mom passed away just a few months ago. Not only do her wonderful stories live on, but the plaque with the key now proudly hangs in my home as a reminder of when things go wrong, find a solution.

What do kroner, queens and Carlsberg all have in common? These are some of the local discoveries we made while in Scandinavia (yes, we even got to see the Royals on their yacht in Copenhagen)! Amazing Journeys just returned with 111 travelers on a cruise to Scandinavia & Russia, seeing seven countries in 12 days, and for those who stayed on with us and visited Iceland, it was another two days and another country! There were so many high points, and the experiences we shared touched us all in so many different ways. Here are a few highlights:

Copenhagen, DenmarkTivoli Gardens is a 170 year old amusement park and is the second oldest in the world! The oldest one is also in Denmark. It’s iconic Copenhagen and a magical place and we were all so excited to spend the evening there. We retraced a rescue route used during the Holocaust to save Jews from the Nazis, and moved them safely to Sweden. The path was long and it took lots of countrymen and women to risk their lives in order to save hundreds of people from death. The story is an amazing one, and one we heard over and over again on our journey. Some went on a food tasting tour of local delicacies. The mouth watering morsels they sampled were appreciated as was the local beer they experienced.

Oslo, NorwayFrom Viking ships to Vigeland Park, we explored Oslo like the ancient Vikings. Some discovered on bikes, while others on foot. Those on the Jewish tour were taken aback about the history of the Resistance in Norway and visiting the Resistance Museum while learning about the Norwegian resistance while under Nazi occupation was a real eye-opener.

Berlin, GermanyThe Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the site of the 1936 Olympic Stadium, and the train tracks from which thousands of Jews were deported were but a few of the amazing sites we saw in and around Berlin. Some went on a Cold War tour and saw a piece of the Berlin Wall, learned about the Stasi (secret police) and heard stories about time of Communist Rule in Berlin. Those on the Jewish tour saw synagogues, the Old Jewish Quarter and heard stories of hardship, heartbreak and harrowing experiences. We learned about the Jews who came to Berlin in search of a better life, only to find that life was not good for Jews anywhere in Europe. Those who explored the Third Reich learned about Hitler and his home in Berlin, his rise to power and his fall as the Communists moved in. We all learned about modern Berlin and the “eat, drink and be merry” approach of Berliners. We dined on local fare as well as yummy pretzels and beer.

Tallinn, EstoniaIn Tallinn, we were surprised by this gem of a Medieval town that most were not familiar with. We began at the Synagogue and a discussion with the Rabbi which was a highlight for us. He was charming and enthusiastic and began a community where there was none. He has made a difference in this small town. We walked through the Upper and Lower towns, and experienced all the charm of this little town.

St. Petersburg and Moscow, RussiaThis was the favorite stop by far for our Amazing Journeyers, and the one many took this trip to see. We had two days to explore Russia and while the majority of our group spent all of their time in St. Petersburg, some spent one day in Moscow and the other in St. Petersburg. There were so many highlights, it’s hard to name just a few! In Moscow, we saw the impressive St. Basil’s Cathedral, toured the Kremlin, walked in Red Square, had tea at the famous Metropole Hotel, GUM Department Store (where once this was the only place to shop) and the Armory.

Those who visited St. Petersburg were treated to the opulent architecture which defined the era of the Czars with palace after palace, each trying to outdo their predecessors in France, Austria and others throughout Europe. We saw the impressive Catherine’s Summer Palace, with its defining blue and white exterior, highlighted by gold leaf. It was a sight to be seen. Inside, we viewed the lavish lifestyle of the time including the Amber Room, if you can imagine an entire room made from amber! We got to visit the Throne Room, the Photo Gallery and more. The grounds were just as impressive as the home itself and we got to view the lake, the French and English Gardens. This fairytale-like palace was amazing! After, we visited the Great Choral Synagogue, a spectacular building constructed between 1880-1893. We were so happy to see this refurbished shul and after a kosher lunch at L’Chaim Restaurant, we listened to stories of growing up Jewish in St. Petersburg during the time of communism and the great suffering and hunger of the people during the time of Stalin. We were then treated to a private violin concert.

The next day we saw an overview of St. Petersburg complete with all of the highlights, followed by a walk through the famous Hermitage Museum, also known as the Winter Palace. This amazing structure was filled to the brim with renowned artwork from the European masters as well as other famous artists and styles from around the world. Because the museum is normally closed on Mondays, it opened just for us – what a treat to be able to walk through without the crowds! We stopped for a traditional lunch including Russian caviar, vodka shots, borsht and live music. We completed our visit to Russia with a visit to my favorite palace, Peterhof, also known as Peter the Great’s Summer Palace. Amazingly beautiful on the inside, but it’s the outside, facing the Gulf of Finland that captures the fun and flavor Peter had in mind for the place, with over 250 fountains adorning the “backyard.”

Helsinki, FinlandOur visit to Helsinki was a gentle stroll through a city where “old meets new.” We saw classic Russian influenced architecture, paired with a growing modern city filled with architectural gems which is defining the new look of the city. Some saw by bike, others walked and still some in our group saw the city through the eyes of the Jewish world with a visit to a local synagogue and a talk with someone from the Jewish community. With free time in the afternoon, we loved having some playtime to relax and enjoy whether shopping, walking, photographing or stopping for a local meal.

Stockholm, SwedenThe last stop on our cruise was highlighted by an entrance into the city through the archipelago of Sweden, where 4,000 islands make up this land mass. We watched our arrival as the sun rose on the Baltic Sea and we welcomed a new day. We saw the changing of the guards at the palace, enjoyed the old city of Gamla Stan and saw the beautiful mosaics which adorn the City Hall, and home to the Nobel Peace Prize inductions ceremony. We ended our day with some free time to take it all in.

Reykjavik, IcelandBut wait, there’s more! Those who ventured with us to Iceland for a post-cruise adventure were so happy they had chosen to do so. Upon our arrival, we began with the iconic Icelandic experience and went for a dip in the Blue Lagoon. We slathered ourselves with masks and enjoyed soaking in the warm waters as steam rose from the pools. We enjoyed saunas, a waterfall and getting treats from the bar, located in the water! The next day in Iceland was filled with a tour of the Golden Circle where we saw erupting geysers, the enormous and powerful Gulfoss Waterfall and a walk through Thingvellar National Park. Our nights were filled with the sights and sounds of the busy and fun-loving people of Reykjavik. We were there for the largest festival of the year – the Cultural Festival.

Our trip was an amazing bounty of cruising, culture, locally defined architecture and Jewish spirituality. Our travelers happily took it all in and shared the myriad of experiences with their fellow travelers, bonding one to another sharing memories to last a lifetime.

Wow! That is the word heard by our group of 9 travelers over and over again on our heli-hiking adventure with CMH. Since 1967, Canadian Mountain Holidays has been using helicopters to transport their guests up into the 9,000 feet elevations first for skiing, and then realizing they could fill their off-season, they invented heli-hiking as well.

After a two-hour bus ride from Banff, we arrived at a field, surrounded by local farms. We were given a briefing on helicopter safely, including how to properly load a helicopter, buckle in and a few other safety notes.

Hearing the distant sounds of helicopter blades in the background, we became more and more excited. The sounds became more prevalent as they moved closer to us. Now in complete view, we realized this is our transportation for the next three days. Excitement grew as we climbed onboard and smiles radiated from our faces. We would soon be off!

Up in the air, climbing higher and higher over rivers, trees and then granite, glacier-filed mountains, the smiles didn’t leave our faces. We knew we were in for the most special three days anyone can experience.

Once at our remote lodge, situated in front of a beautiful glacier, we were outfitted with jackets and pants, boots and poles. With our equipment and a few instructions, we checked into our rooms, had a bite for lunch, packed a snack, met our guides and off we went – onto our helicopter for the first drop off point.

We spent the next two and a half days playing and hiking in the mountains. Each morning we began our day with a stretch class for those who wanted, followed by a hearty breakfast, a packed lunch (we packed it from a variety of options set out for us each morning). And then we were off! One-by-one, the groups were gathered and off we’d fly, towards a different adventure spot each day. Building on the skills we had learned the day prior, we felt ourselves becoming more confident on the mountains, participating in more technical climbs, and bring dropped off on higher and higher mountaintops, sometimes along the edges or cliffs! But the guides were skilled, patient and friendly, and could help us through any situation.

Seeing meadows, wildflowers, streams, granite spires, lakes, snow covered mountains and some wildlife, the scenery was varied and each view amazing. We didn’t want to leave!

The food and service at our lodge were amazing! Our meals were creative and yummy. Prepared and shared by professionals, the quality was there in every sense of the word.

Too soon, our held-hiking adventure was coming to an end. Saying we wanted to stay was an understatement. Most of us were already making plans for our next visit, whether with family, friends or another group of Amazing Journeys travelers in the future. Let us know if you’d be up for a trip like this in the future – we can’t wait to share it with you!

Do you ever feel the need to get back to nature? Leaving the city behind and heading to the Canadian Rockies is a destination filled with more scenic beauty than most people see in a lifetime. The majestic grandeur of the granite mountains on view before us had our group of 40 travelers in constant wonderment, enjoying one amazing view followed by another.

We began in Calgary, a metropolitan “cowboy town” that has flourished into a laid back city of about a million residents. What our group loved about being in Calgary was shimmery glass towers defining unique architecture with lots and lots of sculpture everywhere. The rivers surrounded the town dotting it with lots of parks, gardens and green space, balancing out the cityscape.

Our next stop was to Montana and Glacier National Park. On the way, we visited the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, once belonging to the Blackfeet Indian Tribe. A fascinating look at how this society once survived using buffalo for food, clothing, housing and a variety of other uses, we gained insight into how these first inhabitants to the area lived.

Soon the mountains and lakes started appearing and the scenery became vastly enhanced. Looking out of the window of our coach, we gazed upon what we had come to see… snow covered mountains, set in the background of farmland and fields of green. Once inside Glacier National Park, our full day tour in “red touring cars”, once known as Jammer Cars took us around the amazing sights inside of the parklands. Waterfalls, long-horned sheep, the bluest lakes and streams and glaciers were what we had come to see and no one in our group was disappointed! If you go, there are some cool places to stay within the park, and a few cute nearby towns such as Whitefish, or Columbia Falls (which has no waterfall, they just liked the name when the town was built!). A cowboy style barbecue (with real cowboys) on a lakeside setting was one of the highlights of our stay in Montana. We loved taking photos of one of the most beautiful sunsets we have ever seen.

Traveling back up north to Canada through BC and Kootenay National Park, crossing over into the province of Alberta and Banff National Park, the scenery was amazing! We “ohhhh-ed” and “ahhhh-ed” our way through the drive until we reached Banff and our famous hotel, the incomparable Banff Springs Hotel, also known as the “Castle on the Hill.” Built in 1907 by the Canadian Pacific Railroad, hoping to get more people to take the train by building magnificent hotels in scenic destinations along the train route, this hotel is the original and has lived up to the high standards it was built for all these years later. We all gasped when we saw the magnificent hotel waiting for us to explore for the next three days. Evening entertainment, sitting on the patio with drinks in hand watching a late night sunset over the granite Rockies, walking to Bow Falls and the Bow River, and dining on yummy treats for dinner and breakfast were just a few of the things we loved about the property. We all agreed it would be wonderful to stay longer.

With Banff as a base, we spent the next two days discovering what we had come to see. We took the Sulphur Springs Gondola high up into the mountains and had 360 degree views of the Rockies, Banff and the surrounds. With breakfast at the top of the hill to start, we then climbed our way up and down platforms to see all that we could see, taking pictures all along the way, Next, we were off to Lake Louise with the beautiful Victoria Glacier as the backdrop to this famous turquoise lake. With the Chateau Lake Louise at one end, and the glacier at the other, there were miles and miles of hiking paths and trails in-between. We hiked, we walked, we sat in the garden and drank beer or ate ice cream… everyone had an amazing day.

On our last day together, we set out on the Icefields Parkway to take in what Mother Nature was offering up. We stopped at Mirror Lake which was so serene and reflective, our photos are just spectacular! Continuing down that road, we stopped for a visit to Maligne Lake where you will find the bluest waters in the world. Imagine the blue on our Amazing Journeys logo. That is the blue of the lake we saw! Continuing into Jasper National Park, the piece de resistance was the Columbia Icefields and Athabasca Glacier, where some rode on an Ice Explorer and played on the face of the glacier, while others walked on the Skywalk and walked out over the ice fields. We all sipped on glacial waters.

A visit to the Canadian Rockies is always very special. To experience such scenic beauty is something that sets you straight and lets you know that all is right in the world.

There’s nothing like a weekend spent in Hershey, Pennsylvania. For our family, it had always meant the beginning of summer. A few happy June days were spent at the hotel pool, HersheyPark amusement park and gorging on chocolate. In Hershey, chocolate is available everywhere. Upon arrival at the Mediterranean style 1930’s designed Hotel Hershey, you are checked in and greeted with one large chocolate bar for each member of your family. Being handed five chocolate bars upon check in is a kid’s dream come true. OK, I confess, it was a dream come true for me as well.

The stunning pink resort sits proudly upon the highest hill in the otherwise mostly flat farmland surrounding this city. It can be seen from nearly everywhere in the city. It boasts one of the finest restaurant in the state, the Circular Dining Room, which serves an amazing Sunday Brunch with all of the yummy items that make up for best brunches, but what’s different here is that the waffles have chocolate chips, the pancakes are served with chocolate syrup, pancakes topped with chocolate shavings and there are chocolate desserts galore!

Did I mention the spa at the resort? Have you ever had a chocolate facial? What about an almond scrub? They’re not only delicious but so relaxing as well.

The town of Hershey is adorable with “kisses” for street lamps and wonderful little cafes and restaurants lining the main street.

The town of Hershey is about four hours from New York City, New Jersey and Pittsburgh. It’s only 1.5 hours from Philadelphia and Washington, DC making it an ideal location for weekend travel. If you’re looking for something to do this summer (or any weekend year round), this should be on your short list. It’s one of my top picks for quick summer getaways!

Sometimes you don’t have to go far to be on vacation. It could be as close as your own backyard. That’s literally what we did when we brought 40 past, present and future travelers together for our Pittsburgh Summer Weekend. Our travelers came in from near and far – from Denver and Reno, Houston and Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Yes, many who joined us live right here! They all came together to enjoy our fun city. Pittsburgh is a city to be seen and experienced and has recently enjoyed many accolades including one of the “Best Places to Travel in 2016” by Travel + Leisure, the nation’s “No. 1 Food City” by Zagat and named among the “Top Destinations on the Rise” by TripAdvisor

Pittsburgh shows itself off right from the ride from the airport when you exit the tunnel and you see the city in full view including the skyline, The Golden Triangle, the stadiums and the fountain marking the confluence of the three rivers that run through Pittsburgh.

Our boutique hotel was a fan favorite. Kimpton Hotels has always been a favorite of our Amazing Journeys staff and the Hotel Monaco of Pittsburgh was a big hit. From the stylish yet quirky interior design to the rooftop bar and amply sized and decorative rooms, our group loved this hotel and its location in the city center. A hotel highlight, and were we got our weekend started was at the nightly Wine Hour in the Living Room of the hotel.

We highlighted Pittsburgh beginning with a sumptuous dinner at Nine On Nine. With the help of Joe, its manager, we crafted the perfect menu for our group. Friday night ended with drinks and “large games” such as Jenja and Connect Four up at the rooftop bar at the Hotel Monaco. If you get up there, Jason will take good care of you. He was always ready with drink in hand and a smile on his face.

Saturday was filled with lots to see and do in the city. Beginning with a walk to Pittsburgh’s Strip District, what began as the produce market of the city years ago has become a showcase of restaurants, local food stores including fish, cheeses, olive oils and sports paraphernalia from award winning teams who make Pittsburgh “The City of Champions”. One new restaurant concept housed in one of the old warehouses is Smallman Galley, a “restaurant incubator” where each year, four brand new restaurant concepts are selected from hundreds of entries as a “start up” and given an opportunity to try out their concept in this space.

Our next stop was an area called Lawrenceville, a recently regentrified area which housed a munitions factory during the Civil War, and now filled with funky shops, craft beer bars, a retro bowling alley and 1950’s movie theater. There, we enjoyed a Foodie Tour where we sampled ‘Burgh Bits and Bites. Owner Sylvia and her guides took us to a series of restaurants and stores that offered up a collection of the foods that make up the eclectic population living in “The Burgh”. From pierogies to spanakopita and from pasta to french dip sandwiches, we sampled our way through the area.

A walk to Market Square where a band was playing and the Summer Saturday Night Market was in full swing rounded out our day. In the evening, we enjoyed a taste of local theater and saw Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage a fun look at ourselves and others that had us all laughing. A walk down to the river by night highlighted our colorful city.

Our weekend came to a close with a local favorite past time in the Squirrel Hill section of the city called Bach, Beethoven and Brunch. Amazing Journeys provided the picnic while the orchestra provided the lovely background music. Our AJ participants enjoyed a relaxing morning of coffee, bagels, music and conversation. All too soon, our amazing weekend in Pittsburgh came to an end. Soon it was time to say good-bye. We hope to have you back in Pittsburgh soon so you can see more of our incredible city!

When purchasing a vacation, it’s not just about glancing at the advertised price. It’s knowing what costs are included, and what are considered “extras” that you may have to pay for above and beyond the posted rate. Most tours don’t include the taxes. Amazing Journeys does. Most tours don’t include the gratuities as part of the advertised costs. Amazing Journeys has it included. How many meals are included on your tour? It’s important to know because if there are few included, you will be paying additionally while on tour. Is your hotel a quality property? Is it located in the city center or does it require a taxi ride or train to get to the sights you want to see? Are the sightseeing tours included, or are you going to have to pay additionally for each sight you want to see? While the vast majority of cruise don’t include optional excursions, land tours that you have to pay additionally for tours will soon add up, often times above and beyond the original cost of the tour price! Most tours don’t include an onboard group travel coordinator who is traveling with you to insure your vacation is going according to plan and organizing the social aspect of the tour as well, so that you see all the sights you have come to see as well as make many friends along the way.

Here at Amazing Journeys, we try to make your vacation as hassle-free and amazing as possible. You want to go into a trip knowing that everything is taken care of, you don’t have to worry about the little things and that you are in the right hands. For those of you who have traveled with us before, you know that great care and planning goes into each trip and that we have considered each delightful detail in order to present you the perfect vacation.

When looking for a vacation package we encourage you to keep in mind that not all travel companies are created equal and that there are not always apple-to-apple comparisons. Keep a careful eye on what is actually included in the price and what you will be paying extra for. The last thing you want is to be surprised with the final cost of your vacation.

Americans with plans for a summer vacation in Europe can rest easy. Despite a vote in the European Parliament in March to reinstate visa requirements for Americans traveling to the EU, European lawmakers announced on Tuesday that they would not move forward with halting visa-free travel to the region. The issue was first brought up by the European Commission as one of reciprocity, a response to American visa policy that excludes certain EU member states.

Now, it seems, officials have determined that taking the high road can better achieve the results the EU is after—that is, visa-free travel for all citizens to the United States. “In view of the significant progress achieved during the last year and the positive momentum of ongoing work, the temporary suspension of visa waivers for nationals of Canada and the United States would be counterproductive at this moment and would not serve the objective of achieving visa-free travel for all EU citizens,” a statement reads.

As Lilit Marcus previously reported for Condé Nast Traveler, “while Americans can currently visit any EU country without a visa (provided they’re not working or staying longer than three months), not every EU member nation gets the same privileges the other way around.” At present, Europeans with passports from 23 member states, including France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden, can enter the U.S. without a visa, but five EU members—Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, and Romania—aren’t part of the waiver program for the U.S. or Canada.

Tuesday’s statement points to some positive developments achieved not through reciprocity, but through negotiation: “Canada lifted the visa requirements for some categories of Bulgarian and Romanian citizens on 1 May 2017 and is set to achieve full reciprocity as of 1 December 2017 and contacts have been re-launched with the new U.S. administration to push for full visa reciprocity for the five EU Member States concerned,” it reads. Dimitris Avramopoulos, the European Commission’s commissioner for migration, home affairs, and citizenship also chimed in on Twitter, saying the “EU will always choose engagement, commitment, and patient diplomacy over unilateral retaliation.”